Black bear steals equipment from Colorado fire station

A black bear was captured on surveillance footage stealing a duffle bag filled with equipment from a Colorado Springs Fire Department station. The animal entered the bay at Station 16 and made off with the gear during the night.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) noted that bears are currently attempting to bulk up for winter. The incident occurs amid a significant increase in wildlife encounters in Colorado; CPW reported 6,129 sightings and conflicts between January 1 and August 13, nearly double the amount recorded during the same period last year. Officials attribute the rise in bear activity to worsening drought conditions that have reduced natural food sources.

The fire department advises residents to secure food, trash, and bird feeders to prevent similar encounters and suggests making loud noises to deter bears if they are encountered.